myPainting Season

I’ll be 60 years old in less that two years and I’m on the stage of self evaluation-wondering whether I’ve accomplished some good. (Is that what they call the “middle age syndrome?”  I’ve had that since age 40!)

So, I sat down one day and made a list of things I have accomplished in my 58 years of life. I have a long list of things big and small, special and trivial and I thought I have listed them all until the painting on my living room walls got my attention. They’ve been there for a long time. I brought them all the way from the Middle East to America. I hardly notice them anymore. But on that day, my eyes beheld them once again and the joy of being the creator of these pieces was revived in my heart. And so I decided that these paintings are part of my life accomplishments. They made the cut!

I painted  most of them on the early 90s while working as an engineer in the Sultanate of Oman. I refer to these years as my “painting season” because that was the only time I produced a significant number of paintings.

My engagement with the art started when my wife and I saw a painting exhibit at Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat Oman.

Looking at the painting exhibits, I told myself and my wife. “If these paintings are good enough for an exhibit like this, I think I can paint too and be an exhibitor.” Although I had never painted before, I thought I could, so I gathered all my painting materials and started painting during my spare time. Sometimes, I’d paint in the middle of the night when I was inspired. 

The following year, my paintings were among the featured items at the art exhibit. 

It was a great feeling to have the work of my hands–my master pieces if you will, displayed at the prestigious Al Bustan Palace Hotel. 

During the exhibit, an Arab art collector got interested in two of my paintings. We we’re almost done with a deal when my seven-year-old Gilda pulled me away and said “Dad, I don’t want you to sell your paintings.” She looked me straight in the eyes and I felt her serious urging. But then I asked “Why?” She didn’t say anything, instead I saw tears started welling from her eyes. Somehow, I felt her sentiment which I also had at the back of my mind. I wasn’t really serious with the idea of selling my paintings. I was just thrilled that someone  actually liked and was willing to buy them. We went back to the Arab collector and gently declined his offer to buy my paintings. When the buyer left, I gave my daughter a wink and she responded with the sweetest smile.

I’m glad I listened to Gilda. The paintings are now part of the family heirloom. Besides, they had become rare because after that, I did not touch my paint and my brush anymore for the next 18 years!

 

I only painted again in 2011 when I made a charcoal portrait of  Gilda’s one year old son Camden- my first grandchild. I found time to paint again while recuperating from cancer surgery. 

 

I also made one of Liam- Gilson’s son- a portrait in water color.

I wish to revive my painting passion. One day, maybe, when I retire, another painting season will come!